Chapter 7
“Looks like we’ve got two high–society sisters fighting over the same man. Even pulling out forced marriage tactics, someone in the crowd muttered.
I sighed, took out my phone, and cast a series of photos onto the massive screen.
I could let a lot slide–but I would not allow the Reed family’s name to be tarnished.
The images spoke for themselves:
In a hospital room, Nathan Brooks had his arm wrapped tightly around Chloe Summers‘ waist, her shirt hiked up, belly exposed.
In a car, Nathan cupped Chloe’s face in a heated kiss, lips locked and breathless, his hand planted firmly on her chest.
In a hotel suite, the two of them were naked on a king–sized bed, entangled in every possible position.
“Nathan,” I said coldly, “didn’t you say you’d never go through with the engagement? And now you jump out spouting all this disgusting nonsense? Is this your idea of loyalty, of ‘brother–sister affection‘?”
The room erupted into shocked whispers.
“So Mr. Brooks wants the best of both worlds–two sisters at once?”
“No wonder Miss Carter dropped him and agreed to marry Mr. Reed in a heartbeat.”
Nathan’s face tightened, his mouth opening before he finally stammered out a defense.
“Sophia Carter, I was just comforting Chloe–you had no right to secretly take photos and invade my privacy!”
“All of that was just an accident. When I said I wouldn’t go through with the engagement, I was speaking in anger. What’s the meaning of getting engaged behind my back?”
“I’m telling you–end things with Ethan right now, and I’ll still marry you. Otherwise, I’ll marry Chloe for real, and when you regret it, it’ll be too late.”
Robert Reed’s face darkened.
‘Second Young Master Brooks, you’re far too arrogant. Do you think you can publicly snatch a bride and make an enemy of the Reed family?”
Before the words had settled, Nathan’s father, Charles Brooks, strode in.
Nathan’s expression was full of grievance as he turned to him.
‘Dad, you’re just in time. The Reeds have gone too far–they’re stealing my woman.”
Smack! The sound of the slap cracked through the hall, silencing the crowd. All eyes turned to Charles.
‘You disgrace,” he spat. “I’ll deal with you when we get home.”
Then he turned to Robert Reed, bowing slightly.
‘My foolish son has ruined your son’s joyous day. Please accept my apologies.”
Nathan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
3:24 pm
“Dad, why are you apologizing to them? They’re the ones who stole her!”
Another sharp slap from Charles. “Shut up!”
I stood watching, silent, a cold smile on my lips. In my past life, Nathan’s later success and glory had made him forget entirely the situation he was in today.
The Brooks family was currently on the brink of financial collapse, their cash flow severed.
That was why, in the last life, Charles Brooks had been so desperate to secure a marriage alliance with the Carters. When he realized how deeply I liked Nathan, he pushed for our match.
And just as he’d hoped, marrying into the Brooks family meant my father invested heavily in thei business, and I introduced our long–term clients to them. Those resources had saved the Brooks family, paving the way for Nathan to eventually take control of Brooks Corporation and establish Stellar Group.
Robert sneered.
“Charles, outside blood never breeds well. You can see the base nature in him–if the Brooks family ends up in hands like this, the future looks grim. I think we’d better drop the idea of investing in your company. I wouldn’t want to damage the Reed family’s reputation.”
Charles’s expression shifted in panic.
“Robert, don’t! We had an agreement–if you help the Brooks family through this crisis, I’ll give you twenty percent of our shares.”
Robert’s gaze slid back to Nathan.
*Your son insults my daughter–in–law and still clings to her in public–how could we possibly work together? If we did, who knows how he might slander her in the future?”
3:24 pm
Chapter 8
